2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Thinking outside the box has become a hallmark of success in today's rapidly changing business world. The same is proving true in the automotive realm, where rethinking conventional approaches has led to numerous variations on the basic transportation theme.

The Sport Trac gets safety and cosmetic upgrades for 2003. Upper-level models get body-colored handles and a new shade of red.

One of the most innovative embodiments of that philosophy is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Introduced for the 2001 model year, this midsize hybrid blends the people-moving prowess of a traditional 4-door sport utility with the cargo carrying capabilities of a pickup truck. With its unique configuration, bounteous comfort-and-convenience touches and value-oriented pricing, the Sport Trac has found favor with a wide range of active-lifestyle buyers from coast to coast. Modestly tweaked for 2003 with a freshened interior and various safety improvements, it promises to be an even more popular choice for the young and young at heart.


This year's Sport Trac comes in four trim levels—XLS (late availability), XLT, XLT Premium and limited edition Adrenaline—in either two- or four-wheel drive. Even the base XLS, which opens at $22,355 + $625 for the destination charge, offers an impressive roster of standards. Prime among that lot is air conditioning, ABS, power windows/locks/mirrors, AM/FM/CD/cassette sound system and privacy glass. Newly added to the 2003 mix are rear disc brakes, an available Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors (both late availability) and expanded seating options.


Whether rear-drive or fitted with Ford's Control Trac 4WD system, all Sport Tracs are fitted with the same 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 that makes 210 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque. XLS-spec models see it paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox while all other versions come with a 5-speed automatic regardless of the number of driven wheels.


For this encounter, we sampled an XLT Premium grade rear-drive model that based at $25,960. At that level, items like keyless remote entry, tilt steering column, cruise control, fog lamps, tow hooks, step bars and 255/70 tires also are incorporated into the mix. True Sybarites can add even more goodies, including leather upholstery (now with heaters and power-lumbar adjustment on the front thrones), power moonroof and a high-end Pioneer sound system. We confined the upgrade roster to the aforementioned sound system with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and a cargo cage, extras that bumped the price tag on our tester to $27,290.